Family Reunited at May Day Rally in Washington, D.C.
A year ago, Jennifer Vasquez Sula faced an uncertain future, unsure of her husband’s whereabouts or even his safety, having learned only that he was in federal immigration custody. Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of labor and immigrant advocacy groups, Kilmer Abrego Garcia is back with his family.
Reflecting on the past year during the May Day rally in Washington, D.C., Vasquez Sula expressed her gratitude. “Last year, I stood here fighting for my husband without knowing if he was alive. Today, I can proudly say he is finally home,” she stated. She thanked those who marched for her husband and for families like hers still waiting to be reunited.
Abrego Garcia, originally from El Salvador, had previously faced deportation, but an immigration judge intervened in 2019 due to concerns over gang violence in his home country. However, a change in circumstances led to his detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March 2025, when agents wrongly asserted that his immigration status had changed.
Abrego Garcia was then deported to the infamous CECOT prison in El Salvador, while U.S. attorneys fought for his return. Eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that his deportation had been unlawful, leading to expectations that he would be returned by June following new charges of human smuggling that began in 2022.
His story highlights the aggressive immigration policies of the previous administration. Following various judge’s orders for his release, Abrego Garcia spent almost a year in custody due to these new accusations before finally being allowed to return home for the holidays.
The May Day rally, organized by We Are CASA—an immigrant rights group that filed a lawsuit on Abrego Garcia’s behalf—was a packed affair, with participants stretching across nearly an entire city block. The event celebrated the labor movement while addressing the concerns surrounding immigration policies that many see as punitive to workers and unions.
Among the rally participants was Mildred Danis Taylor, whose husband, Rodney Taylor, has been held in ICE custody since January 2025. Taylor, a double amputee, was apprehended despite having a valid work permit and being in the process of obtaining a green card. His earlier criminal charges, for which he had received a pardon, still led to his detention by ICE agents.
Danis Taylor traveled 12 hours by bus from Georgia to Washington, D.C. for her first May Day protest, where she spoke about the neglect and abuse her husband faces while in custody. “This isn’t just neglect; it’s abuse,” she emphasized, advocating for dignity and freedom for all workers.
In her remarks, Danis Taylor expressed her growing bond with Vasquez Sula, highlighting the need for solidarity among families facing similar struggles. She also urged for the elimination of local agreements that facilitate the collaboration between police and federal immigration agencies, which disproportionately impact communities of color.
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, has roots that date back to the early 1800s, when workers began advocating for shorter shifts and better conditions. This struggle culminated in the Fair Labor Standards Act, enacted in 1938, which established the basis for the 40-hour workweek as a standard today.
George Escobar, Executive Director of CASA, stated that the next goal for advocacy groups is to push the federal government to redirect its substantial military expenditure towards essential social services, including healthcare, affordable housing, and a living wage for all workers across the country.
